Mr Wilson issued an update this afternoon in which he said he has had a number of conversations with the project leaders at the Education Funding Agency (EFA), who chose the site.

He said: "The EFA was due to appoint architects/contractors for the Highridge site within the next two or three weeks.

"I have agreed with the EFA that this will now be postponed for eight weeks so that the thorough assessments on alternative locations can be undertaken and reported back to local residents.

"I am assured this would not result in a delay to a September 2016 opening for a permanent school."

Mr Wilson said he will call a stakeholders meeting followed by a public meeting, as appropriate, after this period and then meet education secretary Nicky Morgan if a position can be broadly agreed.

He said: "As I have stressed on many occasions to local residents, there is no guarantee of success.

"This is, however, a step in the right direction towards getting the best possible location for the Heights School, one that is also acceptable to the wider community."

Mr Wilson held a community stakeholder meeting in July in which Bugs Bottom, Mapledurham Playing Fields and Caversham Tennis Club were put forward to the EFA as possible alternative locations.

He said these locations are now being looked at seriously and the EFA has widened its search to include other, as yet unspecified, locations.

Mr Wilson finished his latest communication with a call for campaigners to remain calm and work together.

He said: "As I have also said many times before, my work and the work of those engaged in trying to find a solution is hindered by people spreading inaccurate and sometimes malicious rumours and decrying the hard work that many in the community are putting in.

"I urge people to stay calm, focused and to work together."

The Heights Primary School is due to open on a temporary site at the old Caversham Nursery, off Gosbrook Road,